Bush Unveils New Initiatives In Detroit

Presidential Candidate Greeted By Protesters

ROYAL OAK, Mich., Updated 2:57 p.m. EDT July 11, 2000 -- Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush is proposing spending $2.3 billion over five years to help foster children return to their parents or to find new adoptive homes.

George W. Bush explains his philosophy

Bush introduced those and other initiatives Tuesday in Royal Oak at the Judson Center, a home for foster kids.

Bush will spend his evening at the Max Fisher Dinner fund-raiser at the Detroit Marriott at 6:15 p.m.

Among Bush's other proposals:

• Giving states $1 billion to beef up programs that assist families in which children are at risk of neglect or abuse.
• To encourage adoption of children for whom it's unsafe to return home, Bush will propose increasing tax credits from $5,000 to $7,500 for adoptive families.
• Earmarking $300 million for young people who leave foster homes when they turn 18.

The Michigan Democratic Party held a small protest across the street from the Judson Center while Bush was there.

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